South Carolina Representative Nancy Mace had an emotional response after she met with survivors of Jeffrey Epstein.
Mace, who has been open about her own experience as a sexual assault survivor, appeared shaken as she left the private session, wiping tears from her face and avoiding reporters as she walked past them, as reported by The Hill.
Later, Mace took to social media to explain her abrupt departure. “Since it’s already being reported – Yes I left the Oversight briefing with Epstein victims early,” she wrote on X.
“As a recent survivor (not 2 years in), I had a very difficult time listening to their stories,” Mace continued. “Full blown panic attack. Sweating. Hyperventilating. Shaking. I can’t breathe.”
Mace expressed deep empathy for the survivors, adding: “I feel the immense pain of how hard all victims are fighting for themselves because we know absolutely no one will fight for us. God bless all survivors.”
Epstein Victims Meet with Congress to Push for Transparency and Action
The meeting, part of an ongoing investigation into the handling of the Epstein case, featured several victims of the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The House Oversight Committee is probing the federal government’s role in the Epstein case and the network of individuals involved in his crimes.
Several of Epstein’s accusers were present to meet with lawmakers, aiming to shed light on their experiences and advocate for justice, per the Daily Mail.
The survivors, including Teresa Helm and Jess Michaels, are also calling on Congress to address broader issues related to trafficking and child sex abuse.
Michaels, speaking over the weekend on MSNBC, emphasized the importance of bipartisan support for the cause: “What we’re looking for with all of these meetings is courage on the part of Republican representatives, because this is, most importantly, a bipartisan issue,” she said.
“This is not something that anyone, anyone on any side of the aisle should be for.” She stressed that the issue of child sex trafficking and holding perpetrators accountable should transcend party lines.
Calls for Transparency and Release of Epstein Files
The meeting also underscored a key effort by lawmakers to push for the release of Epstein’s files.
Reps. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) have introduced a measure that would force the House of Representatives to vote on the release of these documents.
The lawmaker duo has already garnered bipartisan support for the bill, including backing from Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), though it remains to be seen how GOP leadership will respond to the push.
Massie and Khanna’s effort could lead to significant political challenges for GOP leadership if the petition to release the files gains the necessary 218 signatures to force a vote.
The survivors, who are expected to hold a press conference on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, are hoping for continued momentum on the issue. Up to 10 survivors are slated to speak, and Khanna has promised that the revelations will be “explosive”.
Nancy Mace’s Personal Struggles with Abuse and Advocacy
Mace has long been an advocate for victims of abuse, using her own experience to push for greater awareness and accountability.
In February, she delivered a powerful speech on the House floor, naming several individuals whom she accused of sexual abuse.
Mace's remarks included allegations against her ex-fiancé Patrick Bryant, and two of his associates, John Osborne and Brian Musgrave. All of the men have strongly denied the allegations.
Mace’s speech was protected by the Constitution's "speech and debate" clause, which shields members of Congress from legal action for statements made in the course of their duties.
Following the speech, a judge ruled that the remarks were immune from a libel lawsuit, affirming the legal protections that Congress members have when speaking on the floor.
Despite losing his case, Musgrave, one of the accused, continues to deny any wrongdoing.